Mid Life

Well, we do have Rini in an exotic local. Then Doc needs to visit his sensei and practice his wax on – wax off technique to talk she who must be obeyed into his dream wheels. Otis is even showing signs; thinks his hiking is being curtailed by hanky-panky. Well, this blog ain't about any of that.

The mid-life redirect is taking place over on PokerStars. Yes, the site that has banned me for life. Stars did seem to have the class sponsorship program and added to what's looking more like a myth when they added Daniel Negreanu. Full Tilt has seemed like the biggest house on our campus – the one we called Sigma Alpha Everyone.

So, it was interesting that Stars program came under the spotlight when they dumped (or she dumped) a sponsorship. I'm not sure which but she can turn mole hills into mountains.

It isn't a huge shock. Her amount of press has really dropped off this side of Pittsburgh. Seems a Cloonie type decision.

The not so shocking part if you've been following Rini and my little discussion of poker's As the World Turns (also in the crapper) is regarding poker site merchandising. It is the redirection of funds from US loyalty programming toward the rest of the world

But, I am a bit shocked by the replacement. Yes, I know sports stars fit the image for a draw and added press. NBA, NFL, NHL are contributors. We even have a cricket player. But, Field Hockey? Oh, I get you. It a T&A replacement.

I do wonder what she looks like. Only her air brush artist know for sure. The fact that both pics are compliments of Wicked Chops defines all about Ms Fatima Moreira de Melo addition to the professional ranks.

If you've read Bill and my little exchange the last couple of days, it is obvious. Pathetically obvious. Stars went shopping at Euro Bimbo's R Us. Now the lass may donate time to charity and be considering entering a convent. But, those aren't the reason she's now a PS pro. She becomes a part of the strategy that Stars has to take over the world. Sadly, their ideas aren't even as good as Pinky and the Brain in that regard.

Yeah, Stars is now a cartoon – a caricature of sound business practices. When you are a cash cow it is looking like your thought processes sink to bovine levels.

I can see it now:

How do we get more dumb Euros to play our site? Easy-Peasy, Boss. Throw some of our rake kitty at a T&A kitty. Those EU guys are hornier than even our US degenerates. That rakeback deal we have with TonyG's gang isn't getting us profitable players. This should lower our cost to acquire more warm, continental bodies. We'll just can that US promo and it'll be a net-net move.